This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The vehicle lost power steering control while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the consumer that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The adjuster assembly on the passenger seat belt was replaced.
While wife was driving 2004 Chevrolet Malibu in city traffic, power steering suddenly failed concurrent with alarm chime and repair car light. She had to drive straight through two intersections and struggled to immediately park the car, and called me for assistance. After restarting the car, power steering was restored (no alarm or light). Took car to dealer the following morning for repairs. Dealer states that a recent bulletin may address this problem and requires a kit and replacement of steering column. Parts not in stock. Kit was ordered and is expected in about a week. Will schedule repair after parts kit is received. This problem should immediately be upgraded to a safety recall item to minimize future accidents in less forgiving driving conditions.
While driving at high speed of 65-70 mph vehicle momentarily lost power steering. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who found that the steering column assembly needed to be replaced.
(1) was driving when suddenly power steering quit working. (2) power steering light came on and vehicle was almost impossible to steer. (3) calling sealership tomorrow, insurance agent said to report to you immediately as there is a problem with this starting to occur in Malibu. Ea04018_cat
While driving along, heard system warning, looked at message center display which said" power steering" and realized I had no power steering. I drove slowly in the lane that would require no changing lanes, slowed down dramatically and muscled my way through each turn in order to get home. I will take the car to the service department of the dealership in the morning. Ea04018_cat
Vehicle pulled over/off the road when the power steering failed. Checked under the hood, but there was no sign of apparent malfunction. Took vehicle dealer for check up. Ea04018_cat
While driving the power steering light illuminated on the dash. Failure of electrical power steering system. Steering wheel locked as consumer backed out of the driveway. After service the consumer was driving at a high rate of speed on the highway and the steering wheel became very heavy and very hard to turn.
2004 Chevrolet Malibu lt VIN # [xxx] - odometer reading 4320 miles - vehicle purchased 1/31/04. During normal city driving warning light came on, also ndicated a problem with power steering. Immediate total loss of power steering - husband able to pull off with great difficulty into a parking lot. Vehicle driven to a dealership - no service available on weekends. When vehicle was restarted the power steering was once again operational, and was driven 60 miles home. Vehicle was then driven 25 miles to a local dealership (where it was purchased) - no diagnostic check/repair or replacement of parts as yet. [xxx] updated 07/26/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving straight down an interstate when the steering wheel made small jerking motions to the right and made a grinding noise. When I exited the interstate and was stopped at a red light the steering wheel continued to jerk on its own. This continued intermintely for a couple of days. Then I was turning into a gas station and the engine light came on and the power steering went out. After I restarted the car I had power steering again. I took it to the crest Chevrolet and they replaced the steering column and sensor assembly #10373948: Column ki (06518-pc). Ea04018_cat
I was parked on the street in front of my house and pulled away and up to the stop sign just a couple houses up the block. I was fumbling with my seat belt and slowly took off without my hands on the wheel. When I grabbed the wheel seconds later, I noticed it was off center, but the car was still going perfectly straight and then it began to twitch back and forth to the left and right. This continued all the way to the gas station where I filled up, and upon leaving gas station dic chimed in with power steering failure message and I lost all power steering. Lluckily, I was still in the parking lot, turned the car off and back on and went back home without incident. Ea04018_cat.
The steering wheel locked up while driving 65 mph, the consumer pulled the vehicle over before stopping. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Ea04018_cat the steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably. While receiving assistance, the steering wheel would not turn left or right.
I have had many problems with my 04 Malibu. Rough idle, power steering faliure many times took to dealer 3 times could not duplicate, brought in with power steering out at it was duplicated, but could not figure out for a while told me to continue to drive, no safety factor.finally thought they figured out put in a new steering column, 9,000 miles later back to having problems with power steering. Also problems with hard shifting, and also with ignition sticking or continuing to turn over after leeting go of the key. I would not recomend this car to anyone and they should all be crushed.my wife is terrified of the car and will not drive.car is at dealer right now we are driving a loaner. Ea04018_cat
Vehicle purchased in December, 2003. At approximately 14000 miles, November 2004, while driving, power steering failed. Turned ignition off and restarted car; power steering worked briefly, then failed again. Turned ignition off and back on; able to drive vehicle home. Made service appointment, but have not yet had vehicle serviced. Ea04018_cat
While driving about 5 minutes on back roads at 35-40 mph there was vibration in steering wheel. It would jerk back and forth about 1/2" each way. Tried to turn right, but steering wheel would only turn to between 2 and 3 O'clock. However, it took all consumer's effort to even turn that much. Saw wrench light up, heard ding, and saw power steering on radio. Was able to get vehicle into gas station parking lot, about 3 minutes after she felt jerking. Restarted vehicle, and steering was fine. It happened about 3 weeks later again, the third time in about 2 weeks while consumer was in driveway. Dealer replaced the steering column. Ea04018_cat
While driving on highway at 50 mph steering jerked from side to side, nearly losing control. When on regular street problem was not so noticeable. Also, heard continuous knocking noises when making turns. Have taken vehicle to dealer, and mechanic replaced steering column. It worked for awhile but got worse in September. Took vehicle back to dealer, and mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. It partially resolved problem, but knocking continued. Took vehicle back, and mechanic replaced the steering shaft. Knocking noise was not resolved. Ea04018_cat
Power steering assist failed while driving 35 mph. The dealer was notified. Ea04018_cat the steering wheel started to pull and shake to the left. The consumer was informed that a part was needed for the power steering. A light on the dash had illuminated and the power steering had gone out again. Also, the foam strip near the windshield was coming out of place.
On March 22, 2004 at 2,715 miles steering column locked while driving 56 mph. During the attempt to unlock the steering column consumer broke the steering wheel. At the present time, vehicle stalled while driving 45 mph. Consumer believed the problem was due to the computer module. Dealer was not contacted during both incidents. Ea04018_cat
When coming to a stop power steering failed, and the steering wheel locked up. Consumer had to restart the vehicle to stop. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Ea04018_cat found the wheel position sensor not reading consistently. There was an intermittent grinding noise.
Complete and sudden loss of power steering without any prior warning which is only remedied by turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle. This condition has led to dangerous situatios on the road. When the power steering does work, the steering wheel tends to jerk on its own causing unintended swerving of the vehicle. Ea04018_cat
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Caledonia, MI, USA